Elimination of prostacyclin (PGI2) and 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha in anaesthetized dogs

The plasma concentration of 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha was measured by radioimmunoassay after constant rate infusion of 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha or prostacyclin (PGI2) into anaesthetized dogs. A steady-state plasma concentration was rapidly attained with both compounds. After termination of the infusions, the concentration of 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha declined according to a bi-exponential process. The steady-state plasma concentrations of 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha obtained after infusion of 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha and PGI2 were approximately 10 times higher than the corresponding steady-state level of PGF2 alpha measured after infusion of PGF2 alph into the same dogs. The data presented suggest that PGI2 and 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha are eliminated more slowly than PGF2 alpha, probably because they are not taken up and metabolized in the lungs as rapidly as PGF2 alpha.